Molly's feelings were mixed as she made her way through the wharf once more and she wasn't sure what to do with herself straight away. Her headache had faded now at least and the early afternoon warmth was delightful rather than searing. The docks were busy but not crowded and she found it pleasant to walk along them. The tide was high and the local fishermen were bringing in the days catch. Unsure what else to do, she sat on the stone quayside and watched the boats begin their unloading. It wasn't long before her attention turned to the two largest ships in the harbour. The Red Plunder was large but even she was dwarfed with the Sea Witch so close to her. The Sea Witch was stunning to behold, she looked as though she'd just slid down the slips and into the water. There wasn't a knock or a mark on her hull that Molly could see, her sail and rig were pristine, at least from this distance. She could also see a good number of crewmen working on the rails and other jobs she couldn't make out.
The ships were both being loaded with goods and she could see boxes and barrels, likely containing water, being hauled onto up the gangplanks. Her thoughts returned to think on what Bess had asked her to do. She was unsure whether she wanted to steal from a man she didn't know for a woman she didn't like. Especially using the method that had been suggested, it wasn't that Molly had never done that to a man before, she had and been paid for it. It was that she'd left that part of her life behind her and never wanted to go back to it. If she did this, how was she any better than the whore she was back in Karana? She was trying so hard to leave that behind her. She tugged out her leather coin purse and opened it. It was a lot emptier than she'd have liked. She'd have to find work, and soon. Not prostitution though, she was done with that. She pushed herself up from the quay and smiled to herself, piracy it was then.
What harm would there be in signing aboard the Sea Witch for a voyage or two? She'd need the money and if she was honest, sailing was fun. Her decision made, she turned her steps back towards the Jolly Rogered inn. When she reached the door, her stomach began to flutter. Molly took a deep breath and willed herself to be calm, what the hell was wrong with her anyway? It wasn't as though she was looking forward to dealing with Captain again. She pulled the door open, taking care not to pull it from its hinges. The inside was empty but for the barman, who looked up from the dirty glass he was polishing. "Can I help you miss?" he asked.
"I'm looking for John or Bart," she said.
"Got any last names?"
"Uh, we were here last night, um," she wracked her head, searching for the names, "Smee something or other."
"Oh aye, that John. He'll be out back fixing the room."
"Thanks," she said. She walked back down the corridor she'd fled not a few hours before and knocked on the door of the inns one room. She opened it without waiting for an answer and found John sweeping the floor. "Hello?" John spun round.
"Maylan's breath! What're you doing back here?" he said.
"Well, I was thinking about what I was told last night and from what I've pieced together from before and I, well, I left the Red Plunder," she said. John paused in his sweeping and smiled at her.
"Good job too lass," he said, "What're you to do now?"
"Find a new crew I suppose, not sure what else there is for me," she said. She was tempted to sit on the end of the bed but she left it. John had already straightened it and she couldn't bring herself to muss the covers again.
"Why not talk to my Captain? He's always after new mates," he said.
"Is that wise?"
"Why not?"
"After this morning," she said.
"Don't let that put you off lass, was naught but play, I'm sure he'd be willing to discuss is if nothing else," John said. Molly looked down at the floor doing her best to hide a smile.
"Where will I find him?" she asked.
"He'll be on the Sea Witch if you want to find him there, if not, you could stick around here and wait for him, he'll be back later," John said. Molly nodded at this new information.
"Thank you John," she said, "I'll see what I can do."
"You'll be fine lass," he said as she left the room. She missed the grin on his face as he turned back to sweeping the floor. Molly pulled in a breath and knew what she had to do. If she was going to get onto the Sea Witch, she was going to have to go to the ship and talk away until the Captain agreed to take her on board.
The closer she got to the Sea Witch, the less sure she felt. There were so many reasons not to take her. He'd know she was being sent by Bess for a start. What skills had she to offer anyway? Sure she could mend a sail and she was OK with the cutlass strapped to her side but that wouldn't be enough surely. Her thoughts turned once more to the alternatives and she lifted her head. The loading was in full flight as she approached the ship, the Captain was on the dock overseeing the good being delivered with the quartermaster. The relaxed expression he wore transformed his face, the puckered frown was absent and he looked, well, he looked a lot more approachable than he had earlier in the day. Molly took a deep breath as she strode up; she did her best to keep her expression level, her hands relaxed. Her heart pounded and her palms seemed to leak sweat but she wiped them on her thighs.
The Captain looked up, his blue eyes pierced her as she walked, she swallowed as a grin spread across his face. He handed some papers to the quartermaster and crossed his arms over his chest. A graceful eyebrow raised and his expression turned to one of slight mockery. He leaned back against the dock railing and waited for her to approach him. "Molly," he said bobbing his head when she stood less than a foot away from him, "Can I do something for you?"
"John told me I could find you here," she said.
"Well it is my ship," he said. Molly turned to look at the fantastic brig next to her. She was huge, looking up at the main mast was dizzying, the wisps of cloud rushed passed the crow's nest and the wind tugged at the flag. She was a beautiful ship and Molly could only stare at her while the loading continued around her. There was barely a seam to be seen in her hull, the deck was clean and as she suspected, there was no chip or signs of wear be seen. Her sails were clean from what she could see. Her rigging was neat and trimmed.
